Interview With Dawn Of Correction's Rich Tornetta

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's DAWN OF CORRECTION have been throwing down the metal law all throughout their hometown area of Philadelphia and don't seem to be showing any signs of slowing up. A total throwback metal sound is what they are all about, fusing the best elements of Black Sabbath, Pantera, Slayer, Superjoint Ritual, Old-school Metallica, Savatage and Mercyful Fate. They have the 2006 Metal Fest coming up next put on by Praying Mantis Entertainment that features other great underground acts such as SWIFTKILL and DEAD UNTIL DARK which is set to go off on August 26th. I am happy to finally get the chance to interview D.O.C.'s drummer, Rich Tornetta.

Rocket: So are you a native of Pennsylvania?

Rich: Born and raised in Norristown, PA.

Rocket: Right on. When did you first start playing drums?

Rich: I was hitting things with sticks as early as age 10 when they came out with those electronic drums sticks with the speaker that would attach to your belt (wish I could remember the name). I got my first electronic Yamaha drum kit (crappy plastic standup kind) at age 13 but didn't know how to play really. Got my first real kit at age 15... that's when I consider my drumming to really have started.

Rocket: Got yah. So did you actually ever take any lessons?

Rich: Yes. Randy Mitros (not sure of spelling) was my teacher for about 4-6 months at age 14. He taught me jazz as well as some latin rhythms (no metal :). He was a phenomenal musician and played in Serious Fish at a time. He's the guy who went to my father and said "get this kid a drum kit"... up until that point I was playing on a rubber practice pad (much thanks, bro). He ironically was good friends with my cousin Billy Miller who was my drumming idol... they went to high school together. It's a small world.

Rocket: No kidding. What kind of drum kit are you playing on currently? Give us the brand and specs please.

Rocket: Not too critical of a next question, bro, but do you play with gloves on?

Rich: Nope... and my skin pays for it.

Rocket: Haha. Who are some of your biggest drumming influences past or present?

Rich: Mike Portnoy is the biggest. Another biggie is Dave Weckl and definitely Vinnie Paul.

Rocket: You can't beat that! What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you on the stage?

Rich: My first time at the Troc main stage with D.O.C. I was on the riser playing Circle of Fear's kit... there was barely any room for my china cymbal on the stage as it was, and every time I hit it the stand would make its way farther and farther away from me. Until I reached over to hit the invisible cymbal, which had fallen off the riser. What made this humorous was that in an effort to get Steve from Mantis Entertainment's attention I started making all these hand gestures between beats while playing at the same time and it must have looked like I was showing off because he smiled and gave me a thumbs up. And all I could think was "NO, NO... MY CYMBAL... IT FELL OFF THE RISER!!" I'm not sure if I ever told him afterwards what had happened... good times.

Rocket: Tell me, what's been your favorite metal album for 2006?

Rich: I'm sorry but I don't have an answer for this one. I just can't seem to get into modern metal bands the way I did when Pantera was around. I lived and died by that band and nothing today seems to grip my chest plate and throw me across the room like they did. If it's any consolation... I'm listening to Full Blown Chaos on repeat in my headphones at work... also Exhorter and Death (old albums).

Rich: All fan mail that comes to me directly at www.myspace.com/i_hit_things_with_sticks I make sure I answer. These fans are important to me and I make it a priority. Most general mail to the D.O.C. site is answered by Ech so if you wanna get me, message me direct.

Rocket: Man, thanks for taking time on this with me. Give a shoutout to your biggest supporters.

Rich: First and foremost Praying Mantis Entertainment (Steve and Chris) for always taking care of us. Next (but equally as important) my fans who are solid and some of the most "colorful" human beings I've ever met... you guys are awesome! Billy Miller for being the drumming angel on my shoulder. Ech and Jeremy for showing me what being a member of the D.O.C. family is all about. Desmodus for helping me through it all.